1. GARNET VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL
GARNET VALLEY ELEMENTARY
BETHEL SPRINGS ELEMENTARY
TOGETHER WE ARE
GARNET VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL

2. GARNET VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Welcome
Introductions
Administration
Dr. Kenneth L. Acker, Principal
Mr. Adam Penning, Assistant Principal
Ms. Dawn J. Papa, Assistant Principal
Counselors
Mrs. Christy Francart
Mrs. Beth Kelly
Ms. Wendy Xanthopoulos

3. Garnet Valley Middle School Mission
The mission of Garnet Valley Middle School is to foster a positive and supportive culture, which appreciates the uniqueness of each individual in the learning process. To develop life-long learners, we will prepare students to be self-motivated, independent, reflective, and compassionate adolescents able to successfully evolve in the ever-changing world.

4. The Middle School Structure
What is a team?
A team is a small learning community of students and teachers.
Developmentally appropriate for middle school age children.
Each GVMS 6th Grade team represents approximately 90 of the 360 projected students.
Each 6th grade team provides instruction in all academic areas of Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies.
Teams are not leveled.

5. The Truth about Teams Students are assigned randomly.
Each team is equal in student ability.
All academic courses are offered on all teams.
Teams make it easier for students to manage the middle school!

6. The Schedule Bell Schedule Homebase 7:30 – 7:38 Per. 1 7:40 – 8:24
Lunch 12:19 – 12:49
Per. 7 (UA/HPE) 12:51 – 1:35
Per. 8 (UA/HPE) 1:36 – 2:21
Student Schedules are not provided in the summer mailing.
HB/Team assignments will be provided in summer mailing

7. The Academic Program PA Core Curriculum
Language Arts
Math
Science
Social Studies
Students experience a full complement of specials.
Unified Arts
Health and Physical Education
World Language Rotation*

8. Grading A through F grading system. Online grade viewer.
Power School Parent Portal
Final marking period grades will be available on Power School.

9. Mathematics 4 Academic Levels Accelerated Math* Enrichment Mathematics
Level 1 Mathematics
Level 2 Mathematics
*For qualifying students.
The Math curriculum is aligned to PA Standards

10. Language Arts 3 Academic Levels: Enrichment Language Arts
Language Arts, Level 1
Language Arts, Level 2
Meets daily for two periods.
Curriculum aligned to PA Standards.

11. Science & Social Studies
Heterogeneously grouped
Curriculum focuses on Earth Science/Catastrophic Events
Method of Instruction is Inquiry/Discovery Based Learning through laboratory investigations
SOCIAL STUDIES
Heterogeneously grouped
Curriculum focus on Geography and Ancient Civilizations.

12. 3rd Period 6-Day Cycle (A,B,C,D,E,F) World Language (1 day out of 6)
Trimester of French, Spanish, German
Approximately 10 meetings
ATP* for qualifying students
Band/Chorus/Orchestra
Study Hall
Supported for Learning Support
Supported for Reading Techniques
Supported for Math Techniques
Remediation
Example:
A day: Band
B day: Chorus
C day: Team Study Hall
D day: World Language
E day: Math Techniques
F day: Team Study Hall

13. Unified Arts/Health & PE
One period of Unified Arts:
5 Rotations (≈36 class meetings in each rotation)
Art
Family Consumer Science
Computers/Keyboarding
General Music
Technology Education
One Period of:
Health and Physical Education: Year Long

14. Band, Chorus and Orchestra
Band, Chorus and Orchestra are GRADED classes and are selected at course request time.
Chorus meets at a regularly schedule time
Band and Orchestra lessons are pull out lessons.
Students are pulled from academic classes to meet with the teacher or group.

15. Annual author visits by well-known young adult authors.
Library Services
Instruction:
Flexible schedule, allowing for optimum collaboration with classes and individuals.
Guiding students through the research process as critical seekers and evaluators of information.
Instruction in the ethical use of information: learning about plagiarism, note-taking, writing in one’s own words, and source citation.
Developing Life-Long Readers:
Curriculum-based library collection of >14,000 titles age-appropriate topics.
Online resources: POWER Library databases and GVMS subscription databases. 
Annual author visits by well-known young adult authors.

16. Student Services Special Education (IEP Services)
Available for students who qualify and are in need of specially designed instruction.
Itinerant Support in regular education classrooms for support.
Resource Room for students in need of Math and Language Arts support.
Resource Room for Emotional, Autistic, & Life Skills Support.
All students are fully Included for Social Studies, Science & Unified Arts.
School Psychologist: Mr. Casper

17. Student Services Reading Techniques(in lieu of study hall)
Reading Specialist: Mrs. Cunningham
Teacher Referral
Basic or Below Basic score in Reading on the PSSA
Fully included in regular English classes.
Direct instruction with Reading Specialist during 3rd period.
Academically Talented Program (ATP)
ATP Teachers: Miss Fledderman and Mr. Shultz
For Qualified Students with GIEP.
Pull out during study hall period.
Seminars based on selected topics.

18. Student Services Math Techniques(in lieu of study hall)
Title One Math Teacher-Mrs. Terkanian
Basic or Below Basic score in Math on the PSSA
Fully included in regular Math classes.
Direct instruction with Math Teacher during 3rd period.

19. A Club Fair will be held during the month of September
Clubs
A Club Fair will be held during the month of September
Clubs and Activities
Art Club
Communications Club (GVMS-TV)
Robotics
Drama Club
Board Games/Chess Club
Library Club
Math Club
Outdoors Club
Stage Crew
Peer Mediation
Film Club
Science Olympiad
Early Act Service Club
Student Council
Yearbook Club

20. Activities School- Based Activities
Intramurals for 6th Grade (Team Sports)
Parent/Student Thanksgiving Luncheon (November)
Concerts (Winter and Spring)
Spelling Bee (February)
Assembly Programs
Red Ribbon
Anti-Bullying
Visiting Author

21. Guidance Services The Role of the Counselor
Point person for concerns or questions regarding:
programming
scheduling
social/peers
family
Counselors are case managers for students with 504 Service Agreements
Counselors may serve as an LEA for an IEP meeting
Coordinates Parent Conferences
Occur on designated days during 8th period (1:36 to 2:21)
Member of Student Assistance Program (SAP)

22. Guidance Services Groups Social Groups Making Friends
Stress Management
Organization
Classroom Lessons
Other Important Names in Guidance
Guidance Secretary: Mrs. Frattura
Student Assistance Program Coordinator: Mrs. Falcone
School District Social Worker: Mrs. Smeins

23. Sept, Nov, Jan, March, May, June
GVMS Home and School
President: Tracey Gibley and Beth MacKinnon
Vice President: Trish Young
Secretary: Maria Sokalsky
Treasurer: Elizabeth Stoddard
HSA Meetings
Sept, Nov, Jan, March, May, June
HSA Involvement
6th Grade Activities
7th/8th Grade Dances & Activities Night
Career Day
Fundraising Activities:
gift card program
community cashback/fundraising nights
Flower Sales
Market Day
Pre-packaged School Supplies
Spiritwear
Winter Craft Fair
…and much more! 23

24. Important Dates for Transition: Elementary to Middle
March/April:
Course Recommendations by 5th Grade teachers
May:
Correspondence from the MS to 5th Grade Parents
Information regarding MS course recommendations
Information regarding upcoming transition events
5th Grade Visitation: May 7th
May Counselor Lessons
“Yikes” I’m going to Garnet Valley Middle School Book. :
May 22-Last day for changes to teacher recommendations.

25. Transition Camp August 25th and 26th (2 days: Must attend both days)
8:30 to 11:30 am
Team Building
Scavenger Hunt
Learn the Building
Locks and Lockers
$25 Fee to cover the operating costs for the camp.
Registration forms will be mailed in May with your course recommendations.
Over 300 students participated in the camp last year with huge success!!

26. In Closing …..

27. What we believe makes for a successful transition!
Communication, Communication, Communication
E-Alerts
Broadcast messaging
Be involved!
Back to School Night
Field Trip Chaperones
Home and School participation
For Students…
Student Planners
Supportive Parents

28. THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING
THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING!! Tonight’s presentation will be available on-line at on the MS homepage.